Calistoga, CA Zoning Ordinance

This section is intended to provide for the regulation of location and height for walls, fences and landscaping so as to permit the maximum enjoyment of the use of property and for the maximum safety of persons using sidewalks and streets related thereto.

Residential, Commercial and Industrial Districts.

Walls and fences not exceeding eight feet in height shall be permitted in required interior side and rear yards and along interior side and rear yard lot lines, unless otherwise permitted in this title.

Walls and fences not exceeding four and one-half feet in height may be permitted in required front and street side yards and along front and street side yard lot lines.

In the corner cutoff area, as defined by CMC § 17.52.030, the maximum height of walls, fences and landscaping shall be two and one-half feet.

Notwithstanding the above, a fence, hedge, shrub or wall may be constructed or maintained within the street side yard setback of a corner lot; provided, however, that it does not exceed a height of eight feet, is located a minimum of five feet from the property line, is located outside the required front yard setback and maintains adequate site visibility distance from adjacent street corners and driveways as determined by the Planning Director.

Notwithstanding the above, in R districts, a fence, hedge, shrub or wall exceeding four and one-half feet in height but less than six feet in height may be erected in a required front yard as follows:

Said fence, hedge, shrub or wall is necessary for the private enjoyment of the property;

Property is located on a major arterial as defined by the General Plan;

Said fence, hedge, shrub or wall does not impair site visibility on the property or adjacent property;

Deviation as provided for in this subsection shall be approved by the Director of Planning and Building.

(Ord. 339 § 1, 1978; Ord. 436 § 41, 1988; Ord. 636 § 1, 2007; Ord. 728 § 6, 2017)

The corner cutoff area shall consist of a triangular area created by the diagonal connection of two points measured back from the intersection of the prolongation of the front and the street side property lines as shown in CMC § 17.52.060, Exhibit B.

In residential zones, the corner cutoff area shall be measured 30 feet back from the intersection.

In commercial and industrial zones, the corner cutoff area shall be measured 10 feet back from the intersection.

In unusual circumstances, an additional or altered corner cutoff area may be established by the City Engineer and the Director of Planning and Building.

The height of walls, fences, and landscaping shall be measured from the top of the existing curb grade or crown of abutting road. In the event of adjacent properties having an elevation differential at the property line, the height shall be measured from the average grade at the property line. See CMC § 17.52.060, Exhibit C.

Where homes on corner lots back up to each other, as shown on CMC § 17.52.060, Exhibit D, a six-foot-high fence may be constructed within five feet of the street property line. The five-foot area between the wall and the property line shall be landscaped and maintained.

Decorative entry gates, arbors, trellis, structure, and the like exceeding four and one-half feet in height may be permitted in a required front or street side yard subject to the approval of the Director of Planning and Building.

Fence materials that are compatible with the rural small town character shall be permitted, which may include, but should not be limited to, wood, masonry, iron, etc. Cyclone fencing shall be prohibited except for tennis courts unless otherwise approved by the Planning and Building Director.

(Ord. 636 § 2, 2007)

Residential Fencing – Interior Lot.

Residential Fencing – Corner Lot.

Fencing – Height Measurement.

Residential Fencing – Back-to-Back Lots.

Exhibit A. Residential Fencing – Interior Lot

Exhibit B. Residential Fencing – Corner Lot

Exhibit C. Fencing – Height Measurement

Exhibit D. Residential Fencing – Back-to-Back Lots